Jordan’s King Abdullah calls Canada a vital ally
Jordan’s King Abdullah carried his desert kingdom’s burden in the fight against terrorism to Ottawa on Wednesday, praising Canada as an ally vital to his country and region.
Abdullah, on the final leg of a three-country tour, said Jordan was grateful for Canada’s humanitarian aid and military contribution in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
It was a message the king delivered at a state luncheon at Rideau Hall hosted by Gov. Gen. David Johnston and in a private meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Parliament Hill.
“Your presence in our part of the world is more important now than ever,” Abdullah told the lunch guests, including several cabinet ministers and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.
“We see you, not only in our country, but in the region, there to do the right thing, to help people, to better their lives.”
With Canada contributing to the West’s military mission in neighbouring Iraq and Syria, Abdullah said Canada’s participation was needed and he said he wanted all Canadians to understand that.
“Your role and your presence in our part of the world is something that is drastically needed and one that I am very proud to be a partner of.”
Later, he told Harper the struggle against ISIL would not end soon.
“This is going to be a long-term struggle for the international community,” the king told the prime minister.
Abdullah repeatedly thanked Canada for its humanitarian assistance as his country manages a massive influx of Syrian refugees.
Jordan has absorbed 1.5 million Syrians fleeing the civil war in their country, which the king said amounts to 20 to 25 per cent of his country’s entire population.
“I keep frightening Americans by saying that’s like having 65 million Canadians crossing the border in two years,” Abdullah told the luncheon guests.
Harper visited Jordan in January 2014 and pledged $105 million in aid to help the country cope with the rush of Syrian refugees.
He announced more than $120 million in additional assistance for Jordan on Wednesday.
The announcement includes millions to tighten the country’s border against efforts to move nuclear materials across it and to enhance Jordan’s security against biological and chemical agents and terrorism spilling over from Syria.
The package also includes $97.8 million for a series of development projects, including money for education, water projects and a series of steps to encourage entrepreneurship among Jordanian women.
Abdullah said Canada and Jordan have a long relationship.
Now, with the long fight against ISIL looming, he said: “I’m just very, very proud that we’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder facing this challenge together.”
Harper told Abdullah he is “not just a great partner of Canada, but a tremendously reliable partner in the region for a whole range of peace and security issues.”